Sakers are Here

 I've been told by Neil at Flightech that the Sakers have landed.  I know he's very happy with the quality of the models.

The molding quality and detail is testament to the CAD skills of Mike Francis, translating a design into stunning reality.

 

First race of 2023 was a good one!

 

  The first race of the year and the first in a long time to actually get away.  A great day’s flying on Whitesheet with some good company.  The forecast hadn’t been great so the entry was down, it would have been very easy for Graeme to call the whole thing off but this is the winter league and you have to expect that you’re going to need your sportbrella.  When I arrived at the hill I was greeted with some blustery but pretty ballistic conditions so I just couldn’t help ballasting up the Falcon and screaming around the sky.  I had always planned to race my prototype Saker, but the Falcon in those conditions is like a shot of expresso.

  As the rounds went by, my thumbs started to remember how to fly a course, although the conditions changed quite dramatically at times, punctuated by the rain showers.  Graeme was out of site quite quickly and it was exciting to see William’s commitment to EM turns through the rounds.  This is something that I’ve been using more in bigger conditions. 

  After telling myself to fly smoothly and try to focus on speed rather than hitting the bases I still managed to lose 2 rounds with cuts- I’m a slow learner.

  But a fantastic and fun day- for those who decided not to come- you missed a good one.

Stormy maiden

 Nope, not a row at home but between the current storms the new Saker I have just completed was taken out.  Stiff, strong and stable the Saker was soon scooting round the sky.  A few landings and tweaks were made and indeed more ballast progressively added.  I think the production Sakers are around 300g lighter than the first one- this is the weight of one of the ballast slugs I use.

  The one other pilota daft enough to be out commented on just how set the Saker looks in the air.

  A shower forced me back to the car and the opportunity to change to a loaded Falcon- well you have to have some fun don't you!  

  Too cold and wet for pictures but a huge smile on my way home and that's definitely a great way to ed the year.  Home to see you on a slope on 2023!

Last thrash before christmas

  Between the showers the chance to get out and thrash the falcon was not going to be turned down.

  I've been playing with different CG settings in different conditions. By replacing the front slug and and block as bellow- this made a positive difference to EM style turns in the 10-13mps conditions. Have a play yourself. 

  Slope dog andd me have probably had more time on slopes this year than recent years- I'm pretty sure she's still enjoying it!  Time on the sticks has always brought a smile to my face, the models have been a joy to fly in just about all conditions. 

See you in 2023!

 

Some Winter madness

    For the second time in a month, the race I was hoping to get to was cancelled and I've found myself on the slope flying.  A couple of weeks ago it was on Whitesheet's north slope and yesterday I was with friends on the back of the wrecker.  It s didn't take too long to remember that there's no such thing as bad weather- just the wrong clothing (I really hope Santa brings me some new boots!).

  It was conditions that I would normally head to Mickies and avoid the back of the wrecker- where I have consistently performed badly in races.  As I moved the Saker between different lines on the slope to find the fastest I was really glad that I had taken the plunge and flown.

  Flying with other pilots doing similar runs and aims is always a great opportunity to chat about what is working and everyone get better and faster.  With all the obvious observations that open turns maintained and helped to build speed, the Saker felt as if there was a step at which EM just feels so easy and natural.

  Walking across snow covers grass is never fun and my landings left something to be desired, twice I managed too spear the Saker into the ground with some very positive approaches.  Each time there was no more damage than wiping away the dirt.

  A cold but fun day with some excellent company.

 

A tail of 2 AGMs

In recent years I have become involved with a number of different clubs.  As I sat through my second AGM of the month it occurred to me what fundamentally different attitudes prevailed between the clubs. 

  One club reported a growing membership, recognition in the community and a number of notable successes, the other most certainly did not.  One was a flying club the other not.

  As I entered the flying club AGM I was created with a room dominated with a homogenous group of older white men, I am still not clear who the committee even was. The topics were discussed in an echo chamber of almost identical views and narrow outlooks.  I was left with the impression that any variance from 'this is what we do and everyone else is wrong' was instantly frowned upon.

  The second AGM was for my son’s old cricket club.  At first glance, the chair and most of the committee was at least as old as that of the flying club.  My own mounting age helps me to fit in nicely!  The membership present was from diverse backgrounds who were certainly there to help move the club in a direction that would help them.  But the diversity brought a broad knowledge base, understanding and energy.  It was clear that the focus of the meeting was outward and future looking.  New coaches and volunteer's ideas were being celebrated and at no point was one form of cricket pitched against another. 

  One very noticeable difference struck me as the cricket club discussed what fixtures could be moved or modified to fit in a number of matches and open days with local schools.  Listening to modified versions of the game that could be used to engage younger prospective members and allow them room for games on the outfield.

  A week earlier I had sat through a bunch of old men saying how they and only their category of flying should have sole use of the slope for half the weekends on the year.  If a young or new pilot wanted to start the sport or join the club- they would have to do it around them.   The feeling of stagnation and a slowly dying club was un miss able.

  The point of my ramblings is not to criticise or eulogise any individuals but to pose a question of how to help our sport to grow.   Growth in participation I would suggest is key to both keeping the sport in a healthy place as well as those who will become competitive pilots.

  On a small scale I don’t think it can be too great a shock that the numbers of new pilots flying EPP60inch or F3F seems to have been at it’s peak when the race coverage in general modelling magazines was also at its peak.

  My own history as sloperacer includes developing and financially supporting the champion of champions race, to encourage top level competition.

  With Willow racing I have have a mission to produce sport and race models at a cost far lower than just about anyone else. The latter to tackle what I perceive as a cost barrier to high performance models. 

  You might not think that these things have helped anyone but the challenge is for everyone to have an open, outward looking attitude.  Be inclusive, welcoming and willing to look outside your own slope.  You may well end up with more flying mates as a result.

  I love flying and the emotions is generates in me,  I would love to have the problem of too many other pilots on the slope and having to fit in around them.  There are a number of barriers to new pilots taking up our sport but putting new ones in the way seems madness. 

  Now to get up a hill and fly!

The Falcon is just too much fun!

  No real prizes for the picture again today.  The plan was to get some good air time with the Saker- a model that I have been enjoying for the last few weeks.  But after the rain interruption cleared, the Falcon looked to be an easy option to fly and get back to the car quickly if the rain came again.  With the few other pilots on the slope today heading home for a warm drink I held out for 10 more minutes.  Wow was it worth it.

  With the wind good and smooth patches coming as the clouds cleared, the Falcon just ripped the sky up.  I've taken to experimenting with having a setting for snap-flap driven quick 'pinging' turns and a setting for the more open turns to carry the high speeds through.  Safe to say in less than perfect conditions, the open turns were just so much fun today.

  In terms of any practice or specific things to focus on, today was a wash out.  But for sheer fun screaming around the sky- it was great!

  Now here's a  thought, can we have a 100" F3F class?